Chair of the Board
Russell Williams
Russell has been a member of North Norfolk Hockey Club for the last two years. He currently plays in Division 5NE (North). He is also a Level 1 Umpire and umpires a couple of games a month.
Prior to joining North Norfolk he was a member of Ipswich - East Suffolk (IES) Hockey Club in Suffolk for about a decade. He was Vice-Chair and a team captain (and many other roles) during his time at IES. Prior to joining IES he was a member of Ipswich Hockey Club for over 15 years – including a period as Chair when both the men’s and women’s first teams were playing at National League level.
Professionally, Russell was Chief Executive of Ipswich Borough Council from 2009 to 2023. He now works for Breckland Council. He is a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. He is an experienced company director – including being a former independent director of the University of Suffolk (including chairing its Audit and Governance Committee for about 9 years).
This is his third year as Chair of the East Hockey Board – having been Vice-Chair for the two previous years.
Updated: 26th September 2025
Vice Chair of the Board
Position vacant
Operations Director
Judith Masters
Judith has played hockey since the age of ten, representing her school, university, club, region and country over the years. She currently plays at Harleston Magpies; previously she played at East Coast Hockey Club (Lowestoft Ladies) for thirty-two years. She currently play Masters hockey for the East over 70s and for England over 70s. Although she is involved in other sports, hockey has been the constant throughout her life, providing many fantastic memories and great friendships.
Judith's career was in secondary state education until retirement in 2018, starting as a classroom teacher for modern languages and ending as vice principal of a sixth form college.
This is Judith's fifth year on the East Hockey Board.
Updated: 28th September 2025
Governance Director
Nik Bentley
Nik has just made the move across Wilberforce Road to Coach the W2 at Cambridge City after 3 years as assistant coach with the Women’s Blues (Cambridge University) taking them to the National League. He also part of the Coaching team at Cambridge TA, as well as Sport 101.
Prior to joining the University, he was chairman at Hertford Hockey Club in Hertfordshire for about a decade. He oversaw the growth of the club over this period with the Junior Section rising to over 300 members and the senior section growing to 12 teams on a Saturday as well as overseeing the refurbishment of the club house Bar and kitchen.
Professionally, Nik is a qualified account and currently financial controller for Mobile Supplier Funding at Curry’s where he has been for over 10 years. Prior to this he has worked at both Reuters and BUPA
This is his fourth year as Governance Director of the East Hockey Board
Updated: 4th October 2025
Finance Director
Emily Radcliffe
Emily has been involved with hockey in the Eastern region for over 40 years, playing, umpiring, selecting, coaching and in administration. In that time she has played for a wide range of teams from Cambridge City W1, to the development team at her local club, Ely City HC.
As a level 2 coach Emily enjoys coaching at both Cambridge City HC and Ely City HC. She still manages to play occasionally, injuries permitting, for club, Cambridgeshire Masters and East Masters.
Emily is now retired having previously worked as a consulting Engineer and then as a Head of Maths in a large comprehensive school.
In 2017 Emily took over as Treasurer of the old ERHA. She is in her fifth year as Finance Director of East Hockey Ltd.
Updated: 4th October 2025
Adult Leagues and Competitions Chair
Rosemary Prince
A little about Rosemary:
From picking up my first hockey stick as an 11 year old, hockey became my sport of choice. Starting in my school team I went on to play county junior and senior representative hockey and now find myself enjoying East Masters hockey at tournaments in addition to playing regularly at club level.
Initially training as a PE teacher I have changed clubs with work promotions and moves over the years. Currently I am employed as Director of Education at a large academy trust. Where I have played my club hockey I have always contributed to the administration of the club and over the years have for instance run a junior section, sorted the fixtures and acted as club secretary. I have always felt it was important to give back to the sport that has given me great enjoyment over the course of 50 years.
In 2011 I took up the Chair position of the current East League committee having been a league manager previously on this committee and the predecessor East Ladies league. I am immensely proud of the collective way the current committee works being open to the scrutiny of our membership. Fairness, openness and transparency in decision making are important to me.
I am excited by the changes happening to bring greater national coherence to the way our sport is managed. I wish to ensure the East committee promotes a culture of being there to serve the membership. At present this covers around 5000 hockey players every week in season, seeking to play great matches at the level that brings them challenge. Disputes happen and it is important they are dealt with in a fair and impartial manner. Equally the committee needs to ensure success is celebrated.
Junior Competitions and Leagues Chair
Position Vacant
Officiating Chair
Will Davey
Masters Chair
Gavin Dixon